Reality Check...

[Horserider]

My mom decided to give me a reality check today. Now I feel kind of depressed. We're taking a walk and she launches into the "you'll be graduating in two years speech." She tells me we should probably put our house up for sale now, then goes on to tell me that college costs a lot (despite the fact I have a nice sum of money waiting for me when I turn 18), we'll need to get an apartment and we should get rid of some of our animals (cheerful talk). On the way back she continues to tell me that she still owes my BO over a thousand dollars! :eek: I thought I was going to have a heart attack! There goes my dreams of having jumping lessons... Now I'm depressed because I'm not ready to think about selling our house, moving, getting rid of all our animals and I still have no idea what I want to do when I grow up or what college I want to go to! (though I'm thinking I either want to get an MBA or become an animal behaviorist).

[Kaitlyn]

Um..I honestly think she's taking that a bit too far and too fast. You still get grants and everything else so I don't know why she's trying to scare the crap out of you.

[cheval]

Are you working, that would help with the costs of college. Plus you can go to school and work at the same time. And there are scholarships, loans and grants that you can get.

[Horserider]

Are you working, that would help with the costs of college.

Not right now. Here it's a miracle that anyone has a job at all. Second I can't drive yet so I'd need a ride and no one would have time to drive me to work every day. If I can get a car and learn to drive when I'm 16 then I'll try to find a job.

[Vegashorselady]

Hmmm, it's good that your mom has a game plan but she might be taking it a bit to far. I wasn't sure where or what I wanted to study when I left high school. I attended the community college for a year working on the core classes while I made up my mind and then transferred to a University. I didn't have a dime saved for college but worked a part time job all throughout school and my parents helped a little bit by helping pay for my books every semester. Of course, there may be other reasons why your mom wants to sell the house. Maybe she would like to sell it and pay off some things to reduce the monthly bills. It can be very stressful to owe money. I'm sure the fact that she owes the BO money is a constant worry to her. I know moving and getting rid of animals you love is tough but I'm sure you mom is trying to make the best decision for your family.

[westmanfarrier]

Vegas is right. There are options to start out slower. Start NOW finding out what kind of scholarships are out there for you and how you can set yourself up best to be picked for one in 2 years. I waited too long and didn't end up with much help. I went to WSU to be a vet, but ran out of money quickly. Wished I had started out at our local, very reputable community college. Saved up some money and went to trade school and learned to be a Farrier. I wanted to be an equine lameness specialist anyway. Well....here I am 16 years later

[FoxFireEMT]

I agree with the rest, she may be taking it a lil to far too fast! Yes college is very expensive & very tough. Getting a job (even if it's mucking stalls for pennies) will help, save every penny you can. Limit your spending on items you don't need! Scholarships, grants, loans there are so many options. I have been paying for my own college since I graduated & I never had any money to start! I work full time while in school & I live on my own (not with mom & dad) and have been out of the house since I was 17. It's tough, there is no lie about it, but with good grades & counslers to help you ~ you should be okay. On another note, I did have a difficult time keeping my horse while I was in college but I was able to manage. I leased him out for much of it to help pay for my board (at least). I also went to a community college to help save myself money. Good Luck!